*Announcements*: No significant national announcements that I can find. *Other*: [Kevin Rudd agrees to turn up to the debate on Sunday](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/18/2063526.htm). 37 days to go, although [inmates won't…
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[A cafe built into a shipping container](http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2007/10/09/illys-shipping-conta.html). More a piece of art than a real cafe, but there's a genuine business idea underneath this.
[Hole punch art](http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/08/hole_punched.php). It may take a little practice, of course. But there's still over five weeks to go.
[A 4-mile streetcar route would supposedly boost Cincinnati's economy by $2 billion](http://www.reason.com/blog/show/123001.html). A good example of why you need to always stop and think about what a result…
[The problems of universal screening when your test isn't perfect](http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/think_positive.php). Human beings are, in general, really bad about thinking about rare events. This is a good example of…
[How do views on economic management ability affect voting?](http://possumcomitatus.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/does-economic-management-influence-the-primary-vote/). Short version: being seen as good (or bad) can increase (decrease) the ALP vote, but doesn't move the coalition…
[Al Gore rules out a run for president in 2008](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/17/2062367.htm). It's a pity. He'd make a great president. But his time has passed, so I suppose I should…
*Annoucements*: ALP announces [$81 million for more nurses](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/17/2062270.htm). Very quiet day, really. Probably because of the funeral of the Australian soldier attended by both Rudd and Howard. 38…
A little something for my Austalian Public Service readers: [a USB powered whack-a-mole game](http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/usb-powered-whack-a-mole-annihilates-productivity/). Should fill in the days until November 26.
[A good sumary of mechanism design theory](http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2007/10/mechanism-desig.html). Pretty simple at the end of the day: complicated mechanisms are normally unnecessary.